Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Deferred
Paragraph: 59
Strengthen licensing authority powers and guidance to prevent spiking and gender-based violence
Recommendation
We are concerned that the Government is not doing enough to monitor licensing authorities’ use of powers to regulate the night-time economy, both with specific regard to spiking incidents and more generally in relation to violence against women and girls. (Paragraph 59) Within three months the Government should: (i) collect data on local licensing authorities’ use of their powers to impose conditions or revoke premises licenses, where venues do not take sufficient measures to protect and provide support to customers in spiking incidents; (ii) work with local authorities to develop an anti-spiking strategy which encourages local licensing authorities to make better use of these powers; and (iii) as part of this, review guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 with a view to requiring licensing authorities to consider the prevalence, prevention and reporting of sexual harassment and misconduct and gender-based violence in statements of local licensing policy.
Government Response Summary
The government did not address the recommendation to monitor licensing authorities' use of powers or to review section 182 guidance, instead stating it will consider research into the motivations of spiking offenders.
Paragraph Reference:
59
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The Government agrees with the Committee’s assessment that the motivations of spiking offenders remain unclear, particularly around the newly identified incidences of needle spiking, and that the lack of understanding limits our ability to effectively tackle spiking through targeted interventions. We will therefore consider options for research into the motivations of offenders. While drink spiking has historically been linked to secondary offending in the form of acquisitive crime and sexual offences, there is limited evidence linking needle spiking to these crimes; it is also unlikely that this gap in our knowledge will be filled until a greater number of offenders have been apprehended. The Government are aware of a number of cases under investigation by the police, though given the nature of these investigations it would be inappropriate to comment at this stage. As set out in our response to recommendation 7, the Government intends to carry out a review of academic research into spiking to ensure that we are taking the best possible action to tackle this issue. We are already aware of some wider research on spiking, including: • A 2022 survey of 23,000 students from 19 universities by the Tab showed that 11% had been spiked, with 35% of incidents occurring at private parties.5 • In November 2021, a group called Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS) ran a survey collecting student experiences of drink and drug spiking. 2730 students completed the survey, over half of whom are studying at university and under 30 years old. 14% of respondents reported that they know or think they have been given drugs through their drinks without their knowledge.6